Both were charged in a one-count indictment of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Prosecutors say Johnson created fake police reports so customers of the credit repair business could claim their overdue bills were caused by identity fraud. The indictment against Johnson estimates the scheme was used in over 130 credit reports.

Johnson's lawyer issued a statement saying he looks forward to his day in court.

Johnson is the sixth sheriff in South Carolina's 46 counties to face criminal charges in the past four years.

The maximum penalty each could receive is twenty years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Winston D. Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office for prosecutionPhoto Credit: sergign Shutterstock